What you're talking about is oxymetazoline and its analogs, like in Afrin nasal spray.
Oxymetazoline is super potent and works immediately on nasal passages, but it can be risky to stay on for more than a few days straight.
Steroids like fluticasone don't work immediately, and take a couple of days to kick in, but you can use them indefinitely. Also, in addition to opening nasal passages, they have general anti-allergic effects -- i.e. they can help with itchy, watery eyes and facial swelling.
